Pylon for tethered model airplane

ABSTRACT

A pylon from which a model airplane or the like is tethered and which includes power means for rotating the model airplane in an orbit about the pylon and in which a tethering cable can be payed out, and in which rotatable lights are energized by a slip-disctype contact for illuminating translucent portions of the pylon.

United States Patent 2,947,108 8/1960 Doddetal.

Boyd D. Barbee 1941 63rd Ave., Sacramento, Calif. 95822 324,194 May 13. 1969 Aug. 3, 197 l Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented PYLON FOR TETHERED MODEL AIRPLANE 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[1.8. CL... 46/228 Int. C1 A6311 33/26 Field of Search 46/26, 28, 29,77, 228, 226; 272/31, 29; 240/24 References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS $107,452 10/1963 Berger 46/77 3,136,544 6/1964 Strayer... 46/228 X 3,251,599 5/1966 Markel 46/228 X 3,428,310 2/1969 Leath 292/31 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Maneene Assistant ExaminerD. L. Weinhold Attorney-Alexander B. Blair ABSTRACT: A pylon from which a model airplane or the like is tethered and which includes power means for rotating the model airplane in an orbit about the pylon and in which a tethering cable can be payed out, and in which rotatable lights are energized by a slip-disc-type contact for illuminating translucent portions of the pylon.

PATENTED AUG 3:971 (3,596, 399

IN VEN TOR.

50m 0. 54mm PYLON FOR TE'II-IERED MODEL AIRPLANE Primary objects of the present invention are:

to provide an improved pylon for a tethered airplane or the like in which the airplane is rotated in an orbit about the pylon and the orbit can be increased or decreased in diameter;

to provide an improved pylon as mentioned above in which the airplane is power rotated and the speed can be controlled;

to provide in a pylon as set forth above means for illuminating rotatable lights in the pylon.

These together with other and more specific objects and the nature and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawing forming a part thereof, in which:

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevation, essentially diagrammatic, showing the pylon and the airplane tethered thereto and being rotated thereabout;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation showing the pylon with its cover removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing the structure for paying out the tethering cable; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the parts in an alternate position whereby the tethering cable can be wound up.

Referring to the drawing in detail, in FIG. 1, a pylon is disposed on a suitable support 12 and has extending from a radial guide tube 14 a tethering cable, cord or the like 16 to which a model airplane 18, or the like, is suitably connected. Although an airplane is used in the exemplary embodiment, the model airplane can be replaced by a simulated rocket, helicopter, etc.

The pylon 10 comprises a support stand 20 having an upper base 22 from which depends an electrically operated motor 24. The motor 24 is operatively connected by a conductor 26 through an intermediate rheostat 28 to a source of current 30, i.e. the conventional AC household outlet. The stand 20 may be covered by a removable translucent housing 32 which, if preferred, can have variable-sized lights or lens portions 34.

Within the housing 32 are a series of horizontal support portions 35, 36 and 38 in ascending order from the base 22. The motor 24 includes a vertical power shaft 40 to which a drive pinion gear 42 is secured and in driving connection to a driven gear 44 having a vertical shaft 46 projecting through support portion 38 and having a driving pinion 48 on the upper end thereof. The drive pinion 48 meshes with a driven gear 50 secured to an intermediate portion of a suitably journaled support tube 52 comprising the inner portion of the radially extending tube 14.

Secured to the tube 52 above gear 50 is an electrical conductor disc 54 which is in engagement with a resiliently urged conductor 56 connected to a current conductor 58 connected at 60 to the previously mentioned conductor 26 connected to the source of current 30.

In operative connection to the conductor 56 is an incandescent bulb 62, and mounted on tube 52, above the disc 54 is an electrical contact 64 connected to a second incandescent bulb 66 rotatable with the tube 52.

Briefly, the speed of rotation of motor shaft 40 is adjusted by rheostat 28 and tube 52 is rotated by shaft 40, pinion 42, gear 44, shaft 46, pinion 48 and gear 50. Light 62 will be illuminated and remain stationary and light 64 will rotate with sleeve 52 and cable 16 will extend radially and the airplane 18 will fly" due to centrifugal force.

The cable 16 is threaded through tube portions 14 and 52 and is payed out by a manually operable winch assembly 68; see FIGS. 2-4. The assembly 68 depends from support 36 below sleeve 52 and includes an inverted U-shaped bracket 70 having spaced support arms 72, 74 between which an axially displaceable shaft 76 is journaled, and including a manually operable crank 78 at one end. Fixed to the shaft 76 is a reel 80 to which the cable is anchored. Adjacent the reel 80 is a gear 82 and compression springs 86 and 88 are circumposed about shaft 76 respectively engaging the gear 84 and reel 80 for orienting the parts to the position seen in FIG. 3. Fixed to the support base 34 is a fixed stop" gear which can be engaged by gear 84 as seen in FIG. 3.

In order to reel the cable 16 in or pay it out, the shaft 76 is moved axially toward the left in FIG. 4 and the gear 84 is disengaged from stop" gear 90. The spring 86 is compressed as shown at 86 and spring 88 is relaxed axially as seen at 88. When gears 84, 90 are disengaged as in FIG. 4, the shaft (and reel 80 thereon) can be manually rotated by crank 78.

It will be observed in FIGS. 1 and 2 that control rheostat 28 is shown diagrammatically, and will in an operative embodiment be incorporated in a cable 26 which is outside of the maximum arc of cable 16; in this manner the airplane 18 can be flown" without striking the person operating rheostat 28.

What I claim is:

I. An amusement assembly comprising, in combination,

a support pylon;

a vertical support element journaled on said pylon and including a radially extending arm;

a tethering line secured to said arm;

a craft secured to said line for tethered flying about said pylon;

power means on said pylon and operatively connected to said vertical support element for rotation thereof;

an assembly on said pylon for paying out and reeling in the tethering line; and

said vertical support element and arm being tubular;

said assembly for paying out and reeling in the tethering line comprising a reel rotatably mounted beneath the tubular support element;

said tethering line being threaded through said tubular elements;

said reel including a cooperating stop portion normally preventing rotation, and being axially displaceable to permit rotation thereof.

2. An amusement assembly comprising, in combination,

a support pylon;

a vertical support element journaled on said pylon and including a radially extending arm;

a tethering line secured to said arm;

a craft secured to said line for tethered flying about said pylon;

power means on said pylon and operatively connected to said vertical support element for rotation thereof; said vertical element including a current-conducting disc secured thereon and rotatable therewith, a current conductor resiliently urged into engagement with said disc whereby relative movement is permitted therebetween;

an electrically energized light operatively connected to said disc and mounted on said vertical element for rotation therewith;

and means for supplying current to said current conductor.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 including a translucent housing removably supported on said pylon and about the light thereof whereby the light rotates within the housing and is visible externally thereof. 

1. An amusement assembly comprising, in combination, a support pylon; a vertical support element journaled on said pylon and including a radially extending arm; a tethering line secured to said arm; a craft secured to said line for tethered ''''flying'''' about said pylon; power means on said pylon and operatively connected to said vertical support element for rotation thereof; an assembly on said pylon for paying out and reeling in the tethering line; and said vertical support element and arm being tubular; said assembly for paying out and reeling in the tethering line comprising a reel rotatably mounted beneath the tubular support element; said tethering line being threaded through said tubular elements; said reel including a cooperating stop portion normally preventing rotation, and being axially displaceable to permit rotation thereof.
 2. An amusement assembly comprising, in combination, a support pylon; a vertical support element journaled on said pylon and including a radially extending arm; a tethering line secured to said arm; a craft secured to said line for tethered ''''flying'''' about said pylon; power means on said pylon and operatively connected to said vertical support element for rotation thereof; said vertical element including a current-conducting disc secured thereon and rotatable therewith, a current conductor resiliently urged into engagement with said disc whereby relative movement is permitted therebetween; an electrically energized light operatively connected to said disc and mounted on said vertical element for rotation therewith; and means for supplying current to said current conductor.
 3. The structure as claimed in claim 2 including a translucent housing removably supported on said pylon and about the light thereof whereby the light rotates within the housing and is visible externally thereof. 